“A throne is only a bench covered with velvet.”
— Napoleon Bonaparte
SHOP THE LOOK:
Skirt – Givenchy (similar) || Blouse – c/o SheIn (ONLY $13!) || Bag – Gucci ‘Dionysus’ (obsessed) || Sandals – Target (similar) || Sunglasses – Le Specs || Lips – Stila in ‘Beso’
Photos courtesy of Heidi of Wishes & Reality
While I’ve been down in Florida for the past two weeks caring for my grandmother I’ve had a lot of time to think. Probably too much time.
And if there’s one thing I learned from the trials I went through before my father died, it’s that keeping as busy and as normal as possible help you manage grief and depression better than anything.
One thing I’ve really enjoyed down here too is all the amazing Christmas decorations. Since Florida is such a warm climate, even in December, it’s so much easier for the towns and cities here to get REALLY spectacular about their holiday decorations. I mean, who really wants to hang Christmas lights in the snow? And palm trees look surprisingly sexy wrapped in twinkling lights…
I’ve really enjoyed driving around at night to see my father’s hometown all aglow — it’s filled me with hope and with peace.
But another thing I’ve been thinking about a lot is what do you wear in hot climates for the holidays? I know how I would wear for a holiday party in Chicago but what about in a climate where my Nana’s fur stole is WAY too hot?
How do you dress festively when the temperatures pretty much require sandals? Since I love heavy fabrics for the holidays this was — at first — something I couldn’t answer. You want to be festive, dressed in something rich and beautiful. But at the same time you don’t want to melt either…
How to Dress for Hot-Weather Holidays
1. Choose Your Festive Fabrics Carefully
In this look I’m wearing my beloved Givenchy velvet skirt. It’s plush and so much lovelier in person than these photos show (and one of my first ever designer purchases!). But the zipper up the side allows me to “vent” the heaviness of the fabric to prevent any over-heating, a HUGE plus in hot climates. Look for fabrics that embrace the rich aesthetics of the holidays without distracting you as you over-heat like velvets, sequins, and brocades in summer-y silhouettes.
2. Find A Jolly Balance
Because my skirt in today’s look is such a heavy fabric (though the venting helps substantially), I made sure to balance it with a much breezier, cooler top. This helps to keep me comfortable inside or outside, even on days when the humidity gets oppressive. This is especially important to keep in mind if you’re attending holiday parties indoors where things get over-crowded and over-heated quickly. Couple that with a few sips of champagne… well, let’s just say you don’t want to regret your holiday look half an hour into a party. Be sure to always balance the festive fabrics with some breezier options so you’ll be chic AND comfortable.
3. Keep It Simple
In hot climates it can be a little too easy to go over-board, especially around the holidays. Don’t overdo it! Don’t wear furs and other fabrics that’ll be too much just because they’re in vogue up north. Stick to sequins or heavy fabrics with built-in ventilation like my skirt and keep it at that.
4. Add Luxe Accessories
The easiest way to glam any outfit, hot-weather-inspired or not, is to add some great accessories. A few well-chosen pieces like an obsession-worth bag or a great statement necklace help make your look extra-special for the holidays without adding unnecessary layers. Something that’s especially important to consider in Florida!
Have you ever spent the holidays in a hot climate? What did YOU wear?
